The dim sunset illuminated the horizon in a warm orange glow. On the Westwood farms, McCree drove his tractor across the field as it planted the ground with this year's new seed. The day was just as boring as any other, without anything notable to talk about. However, as McCree began to drive through the last row of unseeded lands, he noticed a government van driving up to the porch from afar.
As the men exited their vehicle and met up with Popeye, McCree could see the signs of a conversation between the men from his tractor. At first, things seemed to be casual, but the discussion soon turned heated, with Popeye yelling and screaming at the men in anger. With this worrying sight, McCree quickly jumped out of his tractor and ran through the field toward his father. By the time he arrived, the men were already gone, with his old man raising his fist at them while yelling obscenities.
[Popeye] - "Go to hell, ya damn bastards! Buncha of cocksuckers! "
Yelled Popeye as the van drove away.
[McCree] - "Pop! What happened? Who are these men? "
[Popeye] - "Damn government agents, son. They demand they we hand over all of our harvest this year for free to the military for the war effort. Also, an increase of 40% in our production quota for the year. Over mah dead body these bloodsuckers gonna turn mah farm into a whore for the military! "
Cursed Popeye as he turned around and kicked his chair onto the ground.
[McCree] - "This... This is sodomy! These son of bitches are already fucking us in the ass by taking 95% of our production for free! Now they want us to give 140% for free? "
[Popeye] - "That's what I'm sayin', son. We ain't gonna be able to afford a candle if they fuck us like this. "
Said Popeye with anger as he kicked his front door open.
McCree watched from the porch as his old man entered the house with desperation in his eyes. As he tried to turn around to go finish his task, his mother suddenly grabbed him by the shoulder.
[Margot] - "Son, leave it. You can go finish it tomorrow at dawn. It's time to eat for now, I made some pot roast for ya. "
Said Margot with a comforting smile.
At the dinner table, the family enjoyed their meal silently with a total lack of enthusiasm. Seeing how everyone at the table was dead silent, Margot tried to lighten up the mood by starting a conversation.
[Margot] - "So, boys, what do you think of my cooking? "
There was a long silence before Popeye finished chewing and swallowed.
[Popeye] - "It's good. It just lacks... salt and seasoning. "
Said Popeye dismissively.
[McCree] - "Yeah, it's good, Ma. "
[Margot] - "Well, money's been tight, so I kind of skipped on buyin' salt and sea- "
[Popeye] - "Ahem! Get the chainsaws ready tomorrow, son. We gotta cut down some of the fences and turn sum of the enclaves for the livestock into farmland. "
Said Popeye by cutting Margot off mid-sentence.
There was a look of unease on Popeye's face as he pretended not to hear what Margot said.
[McCree] - "Ma! We have to save on salt and seasoning? "
Said McCree, shocked.
Hit with McCree's question, Margot looked around in embarrassment, not knowing how to respond. Seeing the situation, Popeye quickly jumped in to change the subject.
[Popeye] - "Heard you almost finished planting the next batch of seed today, great job, son. "
[McCree] - "No, Dad! This is serious! We can't continue like this! "
Said McCree firmly.
[Popeye] - "If you ain't got anything smart to say, just be silent and eat. We are a bunch of farmers, not army men. Not to mention, we've got ourselves a fugitive hiding here. "
Said Popeye coldly as he glanced at McCree.
[McCree] - "So we are gonna work as their slaves until we eventually give up and die? "
[Popeye] - "Are ya gonna keep yappin' like old Dutch or are ya gonna face reality? Me and ya mother, we lived a long and happy life. We don't mind gettin' obliterated by a 2000-pound bomb like the Johnson brothers, but you, you haven't earned that death yet, son. If the lord himself wishes to save us, then let it be. Until then, we work and we survive. "
Said Popeye bitterly.
Popeye's words stabbed the void of despair into McCree's soul. Never before has he felt so helpless. Most importantly, McCree felt overwhelming guilt as he was aware that he had directly allowed Jagger's victory and ascension onto the throne.
At night, after the meal, while Margot cleaned the table and washed the dishes, Popeye fumbled through his bills with a calculator on the kitchen table. McCree, for his part, ruminated about his grim reality in front of the television. Despite the loud noises from the screen, McCree found comfort in the distraction, as it helped him think more clearly.
As Popeye cursed loudly in the kitchen, McCree slowly pressed his face between his palms before breathing heavily. For a moment, he thought about resisting the governmental extorsions, but upon raising his eyes, the first thing he saw outside of his window was the ruins of the house where the Johnson brothers used to live. If resistance only leads to you being turned into ashes, then what use is there for it?
Suddenly, on the television, a news report of the events in Trump City was announced out loud. Initially, McCree didn't bother paying any attention to it, but the glimpse of Kadyn's face on the screen immediately caught his attention. Ignoring what the announcer had to say, McCree stuck his eyes to the screen and saw Kadyn fighting her way through Trump City by cutting through men and machines alike.
[Announcer] - "...The dangerous criminal responsible for the destruction and deaths is still at large. From the administrator of Trump City, we've received news that the monster has successfully evaded the city's defences and left its walls. "
[McCree] - "So even you didn't give up yet. You're still fightin' while I'm here, wastin' away in mah problems. "
Said McCree with a look of guilt in his eyes.
However, inside his mind, something has changed. Instead of being reminded of the grim fate of those who resisted, McCree was reminded of the courage of those who resist. He can either wait and die of starvation, or he can choose to take action to crawl out of his despair. He turned around and stared at his parents, who were both leaning against the table with defeat in their eyes. These two are frail and tired, but McCree knew he could still fight.
Later that night, McCree opened the floorboard in his room and extracted his two pistols out of the hidden compartiment. There was a feeling of nostalgia as he looked at his weapons, but also a feeling of guilt for what he had done while armed with them. As his past called upon him, he felt a sense of duty to own up to his mistakes.
[McCree] - "I can fight and shoot, so why am I here plowing the field? "
Whispered McCree as his grip tightened around his guns.
In his mind, McCree knew what he had to do. First, he'd have to go and make some money for his parents so they can survive the brutal extortion. Then, he will have to go find his old friends so they can come together and help Kadyn escape. In his heart, he had a duty toward Kadyn as he felt responsible for not being able to stop her exile. She paid the price for something he also had played an equal part in. Audrey's death was already on his hands, and he was not about to watch Kadyn also perish because of his failure.
[McCree] - "I'm ready to pay for what I've done. I'm done being a bitch! I'll shoot bastards until they ship me back home in a casket. "
Whispered McCree to his guns before putting them both in his holsters.
In the depths of the night, McCree, now armed with all of his gear, put on a poncho and jumped on his motorcycle. With one last look at his home, McCree drove away with determination toward his new path.
Meanwhile, in Trump City, life resumed its usual chaotic rhythm. On the surface, it felt as if nothing had changed, with crime still being rampant and the city still being a safe haven for criminals and a path to salvation for the hopeless. For the administration and those in power, the surface feel of normality was enough to bury their doubts. However, deep down, the usual order had been deeply disturbed.
Kadyn's rampage was surgical and precise. Unlike the indiscriminate violence imagined by KD-554, Kadyn had actually affected the city in a way no one would've expected. Now, with most mercenaries and street crooks dead, the city only had to deal with petty crimes and insignificant gang violence. Those who terrorized the city are dead, and those who could rise up to take their place are also dead.
For the civilian population, many found an opening for jobs previously unavailable to them. For others, they could finally breathe a sigh of relief knowing they won't get shot at for simply going to the grocery store. For the remaining criminals, Kadyn's rampage was a humbling experience for many of them as they either turned away from crime or chose to be more discreet in their endeavours.
In summary, the city did become more peaceful with less of the madness from before. However, what was undeniable was that almost every single person outside of the elites was inspired by Kadyn. To them, she was a symbol of resistance against the rot inside the city and brought a semblance of normal life back into the pit of despair. Most importantly, people who would've never thought about fighting the system were inspired to harbour revolutionary ideas against the regime.
On her balcony, KD-554 shared a few drinks with the elites of the city she invited over. While each of them had the occasion to glance at the city from the heights, none of them thought much of it, except for KD-554. Unlike her subordinates, she can see the regression of rot inside her city. However, still riding high in her victory, KD-554 felt hesitant to do anything about it. After all, to act is to admit that Kadyn's rampage was not just a mindless slaughter done by a monster. How could she ever admit her sister was more than just a mindless savage like her?
Later, KD-554 arrived below inside the laboratory given to Dane for his experiments. With a warm smile, KD-554 approached Dane with a glass of champagne in each of her hands.
[KD-554] - "Cheer, Doctor Dane. You have done an excellent job for me. "
Dane was reluctant to accept KD-554's offer of champagne, but he decided to accept it anyway.
[KD-554] - "To our success, Doctor! "
Said KD-554 as she clinked her glass to Dane's.
After drinking a tiny sip, Dane quickly put down the glass on his desk with an uncomfortable expression on his face.
[Dane] - "Miss KD-554, I must ask... What happened to that thing, ya know, ya asked me to create for ya? "
Said Dane hesitantly.
[KD-554] - "That thing... Was useful in the capture of my most prized prey. Fortunately for you, you won't need to create another one. "
Said KD-554 as she swirled her glass absentmindedly.
[Dane] - "Well, it was pretty unpleasant even if it used to be a KD-series assassin. I get that they are monsters, and that we must not show them any mercy... "
[KD-554] - "Ugh... Doctor Dane, your creation saved me. See, I have captured the last KD-series assassin that exists on this planet thanks to your help. She was violent, psychotic and overall, an absolute inhumane beast! "
Said KD-554 as she put a tonal emphasis on her last word.
[Dane] - "Oh! Which might that one be? "
Said Dane as he feared the worst.
[KD-554] - "Ah! How rude of me! It's only fair I show you the fruit of your labour. "
Said KD-554 as she casually threw away her glass.
As Dane followed KD-554 through the many levels and hallways of the underground complex, they finally arrived at the facility where Kadyn was kept prisoner. As Dane arrived with KD-554 in front of Kadyn, he was shocked to see her in such a sorry state.
[KD-554] - "Now, don't feel sorry for this worthless, hellspawn monster. You must have heard the rumours about how much death and destruction she had caused on the surface. "
Said KD-554 with hate oozing through her sentence.
[Dane] - "I... I'm aware. "
Said Dane in a panic.
[KD-554] - "What's wrong, Doctor? You seem quite disturbed. "
Dane quickly composed himself and cleared his throat.
[Dane] - "Ah! I'm... I'm a bit worried. She was quite dangerous after all. Are... Are you sure we are safe observin' her from here? "
Said Dane nervously.
[KD-554] - "Obviously. Why would I put my most valuable asset within harm's reach? "
[Dane] - "What do you plan to do with her? "
[KD-554] - "Well, first, I will break her stupid little facade! I will make this beast understand her mistakes and punish her for all the suffering she has caused. Then... then once my message has been thoroughly understood, I will gut her, mummify her and preserve her as a trophy of a bygone age of terror. No longer will she cause suffering to the innocent, and no longer will she ever be able to bathe in others' blood like the savage beast she is! "
Said KD-554 while she grimaced with hatred and delight.
As KD-554's mind was lost in the thought of all the things she could do to Kadyn in the future, Dane was focusing all his energy on preserving his calm facade. In truth, Dane was beyond disgusted and disturbed by KD-554's attitude as he finally realized what kind of person she is.
[KD-554] - "Don't worry, though, Doctor Dane. I won't make you work on her. I will have my trusty Doctor Deltazar take charge of this. As for you, I have other assignments. "
[Dane] - "Oh! I don't mind at all if you want me to work on her. I think I have some excellent ways to teach her a lesson. "
KD-554 smiled at Dane's enthusiasm.
[KD-554] - "Eh... No. You are not a butcher, Doctor Dane. You can't convince me to even let you gut a small piglet. Let's be honest, Doctor Dane, you are too vanilla for this. If you are so disturbed by the creation of that creature I asked you to make, then I can't expect you to give me the same result as Doctor Deltazar. "
Said KD-554 as she began to walk away.
Dane took a look at Kadyn and knew that he had to do something to help her.
[Dane] - "Now, miss KD-554, I'm totally capable of surpassing Doctor Deltazar in this task. Just give me a chance. I've seen this monster before, and I wish to be able to enact my personal revenge against her as well. "
Said Dane as he ran up to KD-554.
[KD-554] - "I'm aware that she tried to kill you before in your office, Doctor Dane. However, this is not your playground. I have my own ways of doing things, and I like my most important tasks to be done by someone who understands me. "
The two stepped into an elevator, which quickly ascended them beyond the level.
[Dane] - "What must I do to gain your trust then? "
[KD-554] - "Sigh... You are quite persistent, aren't you? Well, let's start with something... simple. "
Said KD-554 with an evil grin.
Later, the two arrived at a different laboratory, which only housed a single central incubation tube filled with fluid. As the two approached the tube, Dane was immediately able to spot the slim mass floating amidst the greyish fluid.
[Dane] - "What is this? "
[KD-554] - "Another one of my kind. This one is more personal to me than the other few you worked on. She was one of the first assassins I managed to capture. Now, I want you to find a way to bring her out of her catatonic state. "
[Dane] - "What happened to her? "
[KD-554] - "Well, let's just say she suffered brain damage from an explosion when I captured her. "
As Dane leaned closer toward the tube, he noticed a skeletal body with scars all over her skin. Upon squinting his eyes to get a better look, he noticed the tattoo on her shoulder.
[Dane] - "KD-552... So when you said this would be more personal, do you mean this one is from the same batch as yourself? "
[KD-554] - "Unfortunately, yes. She was a bloodthirsty berserker just like my other sisters. "
Said KD-554 with an annoyed look.
[Dane] - "I would need some new parts, though, if you want her fixed. "
Said Dane as he glanced back at KD-554.
[KD-554] - "You still got KD-554-2 left to scavenge. "
Dane quietly nodded his head before turning back to look at KD-552.
[KD-554] - "If your work is satisfactory, then I'll maybe consider your application for the main event. "
Said KD-554 with a smirk.
Meanwhile, the abomination's corpse was being transported to an incinerator inside a cart alongside other biomass. On its left arm, there was a distinct tattoo which read "KD-551-2,". On the other side, its right arm seemed to be attached surgically to the body with the inscription "KD-553-2" on its shoulder.
To be continued...